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The Newsletter | Edition 037
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In our Off-White Papers, we provide practical guidance on how to respond to our rapidly-changing world. This weekly newsletter explores those topics in real-time, with information and action steps on how to make progress now.
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...PRESENCE IS A PRESENT
"Be present in the moment" is something we've all heard at one point or another. In business, the idea of being present is especially meaningful, as moments of collaboration with teams can be the deciding factors for big future moves. But particularly in a digital environment that is constantly trying to sap your presence, being really in moments can be hard. So how do leaders ensure presence is achieved, for themselves and their teams?
- An approach to getting your shit done, from Joey Camire
- Down with the multitasking, from Xahra Gilbert
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Always exhale and enjoy, from Julie Lubbers
And this time, our illustrations from Nora Mestrich.
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HAVE YOUR PEOPLE CALL MY PEOPLE, AND WE WON'T DO LUNCH From Joey Camire
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TL;DRCal Newport wrote the book on deep work—literally. In an update to some of his methods, posted on his blog (remember blogs?), he writes about a new approach he calls Deep Scheduling.
WHY IT MATTERSI can attest firsthand to often feeling like I have no control over my schedule. This issue can result in not having the time to complete tasks that require deep focus and concerted thinking because my schedule is filled with 30-minute windows. Transitioning into deep thought requires time, focus, and most importantly, in this case, freedom from interruptions—because every alert or shift we make will knock us out of a flow state. The way in which Newport chose to address this was by creating calendar blocks four weeks in advance that he refuses to adjust under any circumstances. While the traditional tasks of a working professional may not require these regular 4-7 hour blocks that Cal Newport needs as a theoretician, blocking 2-3 hours a day for yourself might create the necessary space to do your thinking. More importantly, if nothing else, it might make us feel more sane.
ONE THING YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW
Find an approach to locking deep thinking or deep work time into your calendar, well in advance.
THOUGHTSIf you work on a team, as opposed to being an individual contributor, you may need to be more flexible than Newport. With that said, set up a system that works for you, and try to protect that time. Two hours at the beginning or the end of the day might be enough to suit your working style. If you have to compromise, set up rules for yourself to protect that in other ways (e.g. moving that block around). Experimenting will allow you to figure out what works best for you.
A “fun” alternative approach: In a recent episode of our Critical Nonsense podcast, Aaron Powers spoke about his invention of a once-a-month GYST Day (Get Your Shit Together), where he bans meetings altogether, and, well, gets his shit together! In Aaron's own words: “Day 1 of GYST moved sooooooo many things forward. But let's be real: half the task is not letting the time go when folks ask to meet. Pay heed to prioritization, respect the time, and revel in the progress.”
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MINDFULNESS IS BETTER THAN CELERY JUICEFrom Xahra Gilbert
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TL;DRPracticing Mindfulness might seem like something to add to your to-do list right next to “try goat yoga” and “do a celery juice cleanse,” but it’s actually much more practical and can have a great effect on your daily life.
WHY IT MATTERSTraining yourself to be more present and consciously connecting with your senses can make you less reactionary, lower your stress, and help you be more actively engaged. Highly productive people practice mindfulness to improve focus and memory, and aid in decision making and prioritization. Taking time out of your day to meditate is one way to practice mindfulness, but there are also plenty of small things that you can do throughout the workday that don’t require such a commitment and enhance your work, rather than interrupting it. Stop multitasking. Truly focus your energies on single tasks. Be an active listener. Turn off notifications to be present in meetings. Productivity instantly increases when you decrease distractions, and all participants are single-mindedly focused on the task at hand.
ONE THING YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW
Consciously commit to your current activity.
THOUGHTSYou don’t have to be a Yogi to be mindful. It’s not all or nothing. Remind yourself that there are little things you can do to help you stay present in any moment, and how beneficial it can be to quiet all of the future thinking, and multitasking voices in your head. So go ahead, just try a 1-minute mindfulness exercise.
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MAKE TIME FOR TIMEFrom Julie Lubbers
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TL;DRWe’ve often been told to “stop and smell the roses,” but it’s not until this past year that we learned the true value of doing so. The pandemic, for all its horrors, has forced us to slow down and embrace what we call “slow living.” In fact, according to Google’s latest report, even as the pandemic slows down and we slowly revert to our hectic lifestyles, slow living is reported to be the next big trend.
WHY IT MATTERSThe “slow movement” has been around for quite some time. From slow eating, to slow looking, and now slow living, this lifestyle has long advocated to consciously make time and effort to be more present for more balance, meaning, and happiness in our day-to-day. But the past year has turned this idea from a hashtag into a lifestyle that permeates everything we do. Even as we experience collective Zoom fatigue, the slowdown has taught us the importance of making time for side chats with our coworkers that reveal our shared humanity, fun brainstorming sessions that make us appreciate the work, and even blocks on our calendars that force us to take much-needed breaks. But it’s important to know that, while rooted in natural instinct, it requires intention to sustain. This means that even though it’s a recurring trend, we run the risk of soon reverting back to our old ways and need to commit to employing these lessons that allow us to be more productive, happy, and united at work.
ONE THING YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW
Prioritize finding the moments to slow down.
THOUGHTSThere’s a lot we can learn from other cultures about slow living as we go back to “normal.” The Italians, for example, call it ‘Lo Struscio.’ Most simply, this can be defined as taking a walk and gathering with your friends, family, and coworkers at the piazza. But in reality, it’s much more than that. It’s an activity that invites us to set aside time, put away our worries, and share collective exhalation and enjoyment. Maybe we could all use a little Dolce Vita in our day-to-day work.
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